Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Another wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has ignited outrage among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, with many condemning the Federal Government's response as weak and ineffective while applauding Ghana's swift diplomatic intervention to protect its citizens. The backlash followed an advisory issued on Friday by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urging Nigerians living in South Africa to stay indoors, avoid protests, and temporarily shut down their businesses in anticipation of further violence.
The warning was based on intelligence from the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, which reported that demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal had turned violent, resulting in looting, property damage and injuries. Further protests were also planned in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29 to pressure the South African government over the presence of foreign nationals.
While NiDCOM described the advisory as a precautionary measure, many Nigerians said it reflected a troubling pattern of passive diplomacy in the face of repeated attacks. A Nigerian resident in South Africa who identified himself simply as Augustine expressed frustration, noting that the situation had persisted for years without meaningful intervention. He told Sunday PUNCH, “Nigerians in South Africa have been serially attacked. Now it has extended to Ghanaians.
But look at the difference in response. Ghana acted immediately. Their government demanded answers. Ours is telling us to stay indoors.” On social media, a user wrote, “It is no longer about documents. It is now 'leave our country'.” Another lamented, “Our government has failed us. Just imagine if these attacks were against American citizens. This government will do nothing to rescue its citizens; they are after the next election. We will always cry here for nothing.”
The criticism of Nigeria's response intensified following Ghana's handling of a recent xenophobic incident involving one of its citizens. Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, took several decisive steps. He summoned South Africa's Acting High Commissioner, Thando Dalamba, to formally protest the attacks. He also held a telephone conversation with South Africa's Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, who expressed empathy and promised a full-scale investigation. Ablakwa further disclosed that Ghana's diplomatic mission had located the main victim featured in a viral video and was providing consular support, adding that no Ghanaian life had been lost. He also announced that the government would relocate the victim, Emmanuel Asamoa, at full cost after he faced threats and harassment, stressing that he was a law-abiding resident and demanding accountability for the attack. “We are demanding swift investigations and sanctions to serve as a deterrent,” he said.
Ablakwa also framed the issue in Pan-African terms, reminding Pretoria of Ghana's support during the anti-apartheid struggle and stressing that the unprovoked harassment of law-abiding individuals was contrary to the principles of African solidarity. Analysts noted that this diplomatic offensive forced South Africa into a defensive posture and put the issue of African migrant safety firmly on the continental agenda. Foreign policy experts and civil society actors who spoke to Sunday PUNCH described Nigeria's handling of xenophobic attacks as reactive and lacking strategic depth. A security analyst lamented that Nigeria consistently failed to leverage its economic and diplomatic weight to protect its citizens, while a human rights activist argued that Abuja's approach was one of appeasement rather than confrontation. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) accused South African politicians of fuelling xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals for electoral gain, noting that attacks had spread to hospitals and schools.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the crisis but offered a controversial explanation. Its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, attributed the violence to the recent installation of an Igbo king in South Africa. The ministry, however, added that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria was engaging effectively with host authorities and that the issue had been resolved. Many Nigerians dismissed this explanation as inadequate, arguing that xenophobic attacks have occurred repeatedly over the years for reasons unrelated to any single event. As tensions continue to rise and further protests are expected in Gauteng, the contrast between the two West African nations could not be starker. Ghana's muscular diplomacy has won praise from its citizens, while Nigeria's advisory to stay indoors has left many feeling abandoned. The question now is whether Abuja will learn from Accra's example or whether Nigerian residents in South Africa will continue to be told to simply stay out of sight.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments